obeisance

noun

Definition of obeisancenext
as in homage
a show of respect or acknowledgement of the authority or importance of another They made obeisance before the king and queen. She earned herself some political enemies when she failed to make the proper obeisance to those in power.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obeisance But as wrong-headed as the Court’s obeisance to the executive branch has been (see, for example, its 2024 ruling on Presidential immunity), that deference has its limits. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026 After a decade of seemingly supine obeisance, there is no obvious reason why the military leadership would suddenly rouse itself to oppose Xi. — Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025 But Zuckerberg isn’t the only one paying abject obeisance to the president. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam. — Brendan Cole shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for obeisance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obeisance
  1. homage
  2. respect
  3. salute
  4. nod
  5. bow
  6. reverence
  7. submissiveness
Noun
  • Beyoncé paid homage amid the blonde-bombshell pop-rap-country watershed of Cowboy Carter.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Reba McEntire, who had a decades-long friendship with Parton, shared a lengthy homage to the singer.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of homage
Noun
  • Buckingham’s long-standing engineer, Gary Paczosa, had respect for how Steve reacted to the many ideas Dolly flung at him.
    — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Bovines are a blessing The sentiment comes from the respect people here have for cows, seen for many generations as providers of sustenance and prosperity.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of respect
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Parton’s screen legacy is getting an immediate big-screen salute.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The one-finger salute is her biggest calling card — a profane habit that’s built her a social media fandom 5 million followers deep.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of salute
Noun
  • There’s even a nod to 28 Days Later, with Zeta-Jones hobbling across a deserted Westminster Bridge in London wearing blue hospital scrubs, just like Cillian Murphy’s Jim in the 2002 horror movie.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Flamenco dancers from Rueda Flamenca lined the garden path while guests walked in, as a nod to Taylor’s mother who is Spanish.
    — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of nod
Noun
  • These Amazon ballet flats are on sale for $30 and feature a classic design adorned with a traditional ballerina-esque bow.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Many of Clancy’s backers believe the accessory, which Buckingham has worn often throughout the trial, is a reference to Clancy’s 5-year-old daughter, who prosecutors noted liked to wear bows in her hair.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of bow
Noun
  • He’s flanked by Claymore and Fuller as John and Major Ridge, who both infuse a deep reverence for their characters in both of their performances.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • With funnel cakes in the shape of her beloved butterfly and fashion exhibits with eye-popping heels and wigs, Dolly Parton’s theme park has history, entertainment, reverence.
    — Carlye Wisel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of reverence
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness

Browse Nearby Words

obedient
obeisance
obeisant
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Cite this Entry

“Obeisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obeisance. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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